Of Death and other Promises

Brief thoughts on mortality on the eve of a birthday. No. 54.

If I fear death, it's news to me. I see it as a ticket home. I do not invite it, as I have work to do in this one life, but when it comes, assuming I am aware of its coming, I expect to be grateful and thankful. I will spend some 54-plus year sheathed in this form (what does it matter however long I live?) and I will spend eternity with God. Well, okay. I won't immediately be with God. Yeah, I'm, quite sure there will be a waiting period. Maybe a century or two if that vision I had of purgatory is anything to go by (posted in another blog here).

Anyway, death. So what. Age. Ah, that is more of a matter to be negotiated and handled, with as much humility and patience and grace as I can muster. One feels the spark diminish, energy, force. So very odd. And yet, the force of one's heart becomes...clearer? Maybe not stronger, but less encumbered. So we move toward God, day by day. For this I am incredibly grateful.

But death could come at any time, and as a Christian I am directed to be always prepared. And brother, I am. Ha! Well, I hope so. I guess I'll find out soon enough. I enjoy reciting the Nicene Creed at service. It's a great gut check. And when we get to the part "I look forward to the resurrection..." I make sure to say that with special emphasis!

In all this, I am quite sure the Lord has a sense of humor as well of love for our yearnings, our fears. How well I understand and echo the sentiments of St. Therese, the Little Rose, who looked forward to heaven so that she could do good here on earth. I feel the same way.

I pray for the souls of those in purgatory for that reason too. To reach out to those who have no other recourse. The impulse is not unlike any act of charity - food for the hungry, a dollar for the homeless, what have you. Work for others. Work work work.

Make this time count.